Suppose a magnetic field exists with the north pole at the top of the computer monitor and the south pole at the bottom of the computer monitor. If a positively charged particle entered the field moving from your face to the other side of the monitor, which way would the path of the particle bend?

Question

Group of answer choices

down

up

right

left

Answer 1

To determine the direction in which a positively charged particle would bend when entering a magnetic field, we can use the right-hand rule.

1. Point your thumb in the direction of the velocity of the positively charged particle (which is from your face towards the monitor).
2. Point your fingers in the direction of the magnetic field (which is directed from the north pole at the top of the monitor to the south pole at the bottom of the monitor, or down).
3. Your palm will face in the direction of the force acting on the positively charged particle.

Using this right-hand rule:

• Thumb (velocity) pointing towards the monitor (outward).
• Fingers pointing downward (direction of the magnetic field).
• Palm will then face to the right.

Therefore, the path of the positively charged particle will bend to the right as it moves through the magnetic field.

Thus, the correct answer is right.